A common theme carried through the mission statements of many U.S. medical centers is the desire to serve the needs of the community through a diverse offering of special programs. As an example, the mission of Akron General Health System (AGHS) is “to improve the health and lives of our patients and community.”
This broad-reaching mission gives us the foundation to support a heavy platform of community involvement and support.
Like many hospitals, Akron General’s commitment to serving its community goes without question. In 2003, it provided $68.2 million worth of medical care for which it was not compensated, and more than 215,680 community members were served through community health programs and screenings.
The community health programs supported by hospitals throughout the United States are diverse and comprehensive. Community health initiatives touch the lives of thousands of people.
This community support falls into several categories.
- Hospitals and medical centers frequently offer public education on health-related topics. Programming typically provides wellness-oriented suggestions and encouragement designed to keep people out of hospitals. Programs are either community-based or offered at the local hospital. Most hospitals also offer speakers’ bureaus and have experts available to address specific issues at no charge.
- Programming for specific patient populations is also available. Many medical centers offer support groups and ongoing education for patients with chronic health conditions and their families. These programs are generally provided at no charge.
- Hospitals provide communities with screenings for health issues. Local consumers and patients are generally able to access public screenings intended to provide education and early diagnosis for such conditions as cardiac disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, prostate cancer, breast cancer, diabetes and other potentially life-threatening concerns.
- One of the most significant benefits not-for-profit hospitals provide is absorbing the cost of uncompensated care. Uncompensated care cost includes three elements — charitable care, bad debts and governmental shortfall.
Charitable care is given to patients who are unable to pay based on pre-established criteria. Bad debts represent uncollectible charges to patients who are unwilling to pay. Governmental shortfall is the difference between the payments received for and the cost of care provided to patients who are covered by governmental entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, General Assistance/Disability Assistance and other government programs.
As tax-exempt organizations, most hospitals are provided with dual opportunities to provide excellent care to those most in need and to make the significant investments in people, equipment and facilities that will continually provide the most advanced care.
Much of that annual investment is in people. Some of it is in upgrading and replacing equipment for existing services to maintain incremental improvements on as broad a base as possible.
Typically, boards of directors composed of community leaders guide many hospitals. The board is guided by the needs of the community, not driven by the demands of shareholders. The hospital’s tax-exempt status provides it with opportunities to provide excellent care to all who need it and to make investments in the people, equipment and facilities that provide the most advanced care.
A hospital’s effect on the community goes well beyond providing health and education programs. Akron General Health System relies upon 4,755 dedicated, full-time employees to provide the very best care to patients. These employees earned $252.9 million dollars in wages that helped boost every corner of our local economy.
Hospitals and medical centers continue to be proud, productive and involved members of their communities, providing high-quality health care through many generations. Our community commitment is unwavering as we build upon past achievement to ensure healing and hope for future generations.
Alan Bleyer is president and CEO of Akron General Health System, which includes Massillon Community Hospital, Lodi Community Hospital, Visiting Nurse Service & Affiliates and RoseLane, a long-term care facility. The system has more than 6,000 employees and 1,000 physicians. Reach him at (330) 344-6000 or www.akrongeneral.org.
